Train-control system.



A1 MINNICK.

TRAIN CUNTHOL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED GCT. 10, 1916A Patn'ted May 22,1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l.

M 2 E Q@ A, MWN'ICK.`

mm comm mmm.

APYTMCATSON FILE CTl` H), 19H5. 1 ,226,792, Patented Muy 22, 19H

4 2 SHEETSM-SHEET 2.

\ sTATEs PATENT OFFICE,

IINNICK, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TnAm-coNTnoL SYSTEM.

speemcanon of Letters frant.

- Patented May 22, 1917.

Application med October 1d, 13164. Serial No. 124,821.

Toalliohom' it may concern:

Bcr it known that I, ALFRED MINNICK, a

citizen ofthe United States of America, re-

siding at Newark, inf the county of Essex,

5 StateofNew Jerse have invented certain "improvements in rain-ControlSystems, ,n #which the following is a description, ref- Abeing had tothe accompanying drawforming a part thereof.

.afsystem of train signaling and control mechanism whereby abnormalconditions in sorted to withinthe scope of the appendedV `claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view of the system.

Fg.2 is a plan view of a series of stationary or track magnets Fig. 3 isa` cross-'sectional view of a roadries with reference to thetrack-rails.

Fig. t is a View of a form of4 travelingv armature andconnectionsarranged in op- 'era-tivel relation with the stationary ortrack magnets. I, L

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a set of armatures for control by trackimpulses.

The invention contemplates, generically, a system of normally energizedtrack or sta tionary magnets, arranged 'in series in track f'. blocks orsections, to be determined as to location and length by topographicaland ltraffic conditions, with relation to trackrails or other conductorsin different blocks or sections whereby shot-ting or ground ing of theenergized circuits may be ef- :fected by rolling stock, in combinationwith moving or traveling armatures, carried in -the fields `of saidmagnets, by the locomotives, tenders, cars, or other elements of the`.rolling stock, and disposed in .inuenced ree object of the inventionis to provide ygrcspect will be indicated to the operator,

bed showing the arrangement of magnet se-A lation with devices adaptedfor making partial or complete application of brakes, `for givingperiodic clear or safe siglals, for giving successive caution and dangeror stop signalsin the engine cab, and for actuating recording mechanismas to the character of indication, or signals and the like means alsobeing employed for-effecting track or rond; side signals, whenconsidered necessary or desirable. y

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the track rails 10areishown divided into blocks or sections', A. B. C. D. E., B. C. D. Ef,each block being equipped 1 with a series ci stationary or road magnets11, arranged in circuit with batteries 12, or other sources ofelectrical energy, which may, as shown, be arranged in circuit withsuitable road-side or track signals.

As all of the circuits are identical in arrangement, it will benecessary to trace but one in detail for the purpose of illustration,and the block A, having its track rails 10 connected with battery 12,will be used as a basis of description, with said rails in a cir cuitdefined by the heavy dotted lines fr, and

yincluding magnet 13, the upper section or member of a double solenoid14, an armature 15 and contact 15, the lower section or member' ot thedouble solenoid 1G, a series of caution track magnets 11 in block D, thedangei track magnets 11 in blocks C and C', caution track magnets 11ilin vblock D, the lower section or member of thc,

double solenoid 17, the Contact 1S and `armature 18, the upper section.or men'ibcr of ,double solenoid 15) and the .nnignet 20. lVhen the blockA is occupied, as shown b v the track wheels 2l. the circuit justdescribed is grounded or shorted thereb \r denergizing magnet 133 andthe upper section or member of the double solenoid 14, giving a danger77road-side signal in block C, deincrgizing the lower section or member ofdouble solenoid 16, (giving a caution road-side signal `in block D),deiiner gizing caution track magnets 11" in blocks D'and D and dangertrack magnets in blocks C and C, and setting the road-side signals inrelation thereto.

i The double solenoids above mentioned are designed to operate roadsidesignals or semaphores, under such conditions that the energization ofboth sections or members of a double solenoid will hold the signal atclean the denergizationof one member willhold the signal at cautiomwhile. the denergization of both sections or members will-permit themovement of .the si al to danger, a Weight, or other equivalent positiveactuating means, being employed to oppose the action of the solenoid andinsure a caution or danger signal in ,the event of any failure of thecircuits, dife to the proximity of a train or inoperativeness of any ofthe related'elements.

Carried in the fields of the track magnets, as by the engine, tender, orother element of the rolling stock, are the traveling armatures 23, andQ4, the former in relation to the danger or stop magnets and the latterin relation to the side or caution magnets an additional cautionarmature being employed'if necessary as indicated in Fig. 5, to permitof movement of the rolling stock on the track in eitherdirection withoutduplicating the track equipment.

These armatures may be of any preferred construction suitable forenergization by the track-magnets, and adapted for movement. or forcontrolling the movement of the other dependent elements, .whendenergized or released from the infiuence of their respective trackmagnets, and each, as illustrated, consists of a shoe, of a lengthsuiicient to bridge the interval between two adjacent track magnets innormally arranged series,

so as to receive the influence of one before passing beyond that ofanother in the same series, `with, for example, a resisting spring 25for moving the shoe to an active position,-that is, a signahgiviiig orbrake applying position when released from the influence of the trackmagnets.

In order that distinctive signalsiiiay be given, or brake applyingImeans partial or complete may be operated the shoe coiistitilting thearmature is movably mounted for attractive influence by the trackmagnets. while at the same time being supported by suitablehangers,which permit of rearward displacement in the event of encountering inunusual obstacle on the road-bed. the pivotal movement of the armaturebeing such as to open normalli/closed signal circuits or brake applyingcircuits, to effect without the intervention of the engineer thatcontrol which is necessary iii order to insure safety. e

lnasmuch aslthe specific eab mechanism relating to the signaling andtrain checking or stopping devices forni no specific part of the presentinvention, it has been deemed sufficient merely `t`o show contactsaffected by the shoe or armature or the position of the latter, wherebythe relations of the parts are altered when the conditions of thecircuit or circuits of the track system may be changed in accordancewith the proximity of rolling stock.

In order that this relation may be vmore caution magnets are denergizedsc as to inuence the caution armature of any approaching train eitherinthe opposite direction 'or following that of the train aiectingsaidreimuit, to give a caution signal and. if preferred, a partial orgradual application of the brakes so as to reduce the speed of the trainwithout voluntary intervention of the engineer or other operative.

Another condition which is contcuiiilated attention is called to thL y,

in this system is that" of giving'a definite and positive and clearsignal on the entrance of a train to each block, or at such l intervalsas may be deemed necessary, accordingto the traffic conditions. In thisconnection, for example, it is desirable to give a clear signal onapproaching a curve oT'a draw-bridge or the like, even when it is notnecessary to signal definitely on the en? trance to a block on a clearor straight track. In order that this may be accomplished, one, two ormore magnets may be omitted at the point where thcsgna is desired, sothat the armature or shoe is momentarily de-niagnetized, it beingpreferable to use laminated material in order that the negativeinfluence may be prompt and to employ a supplemental armature or switcharranged within the field of influence of the iiiain ainiatui'e or shoe.so that it may be promptly influenced by lthe de-niagnetiza-'I tion ofthe armature or shoe. said supplemental arinatiire or switch beingarranged to control circuits effecting elear"I signals either audible orvisual. In the saine way.

the omission of 'a suitable number of magnets in a block circuit :it theapproach to a curve, a bridge. a trestle or other dangerous point ot' aroad may by the deinagnctizationjof the armature affecting a mechanismdesignedto produce va partial reduction of pressure.

for example. in an air brake system, making a partial application of thebrakes so as to reduce the speed of the train to that which will enableit to proceed safely, Whether the engineer is attentive or not.

ln illustrating the system so as to include4 load-side signals, andmaintain conditions therein which correspond respectively with severalblocks. while securing a progressive setting and resetting or restoringof the said signals as a train proceeds, such o erations taking place inreverse order in ont and lao I those existing in the track magnets ofthe.

in rear' of the aiflvancing train. there is ineorporated a series olrelay eireuits ineluding batteries or other energizing elementsControlled h v the magnet# 121 whieh are ineluded in'lhe niain or trackrircnit and aetnate arnlataresl. 1%.eonstit'1lting snitrhes or ereaithrealtern. The donhle solenoidrs are zo ri'mstrnetl-d that when hothupper and lower rails are energized, the arinatl'irr` thereof is helddown to the limit oi its movement to maintain the semaphore or othersignal to indieate safern it' the, lower eoil is deenergized. thearmature is iierinitted to rise, under the inthlenre of a weight orother eleinent ot' the sornaplmre, to indicate eaution. living held inthat position by the npper coil; and it hoth rails are ilel'iergized,the :signal is pmniitted to indieate dringen 1t will he ohvions tronithe foregoing that under the control of the system herein outlineilathel'ioaihilities of train control and signaling. both as to the cah andthe road side are praetieallyv unlimited. delainding entirelv upon thewiring andthe efl'ieieney ol'Y the 'l' rain ehm-king and stoppingdevire. and that the efficiency of the system is independent ol' thehnnian equation.

vhat rlailned is:

1. A. train signal and control system ha ving a t r:ul-;-eirouit adaptedtohe grounded hv rolling Stork and having included therein Statioi'iar)Vtrark ,nlagnets in series extendingr snhstantially thronghrmt adilierent hloek from that in which the ground may he efterted. ineoniliination with a traveling traixrrarriod armature disposed in the'field oi' said magnets.

A train signal and control system having a nor1nally-elosedtrz'iek-eireuit adapted to begroiuidtal hy rolling stoel; and havingrIncluded therein stationary t-rack magnets arranged in series extendingSubstantially' tln'ouglioat one, block, and trark railh` .in anotherhloelt. in eomhination with a traveling trailrearriml armature diapoaedin the field of .said magnets.

A. train signal and cont-rol system having a traek-eirenit adapted to hegrounded hy rolling stock, and having included therein stationary t'aeltmagnets in Series in a different hloek 'from that in n'hieh the groundmay hoefieetod, in romhination with a traveling"train-rarred armaturedisposed Continuously in the, field ot one or more o1' Sa id. ma guet-s.

4. A train signal and rontrol system iiaving a ti'arl i|'ri|it adaptedto he grounded hv rolling atorlf. and having inrluded there in Stationar\Y trarh niagnethV arranged in parallel iaerien in surresive hiorli,`-se|).^|ral.ed troni that in \\'hi h the ground may he elferteih inronih'ination with traveling trainearried armaturen` disposed in thefields re- Spertivelv oi laaid eries o'l nnigneis.,

A train signal and eonlzrol system havl ing a t1'a l:-eireuit adapted tohe grounded hv rolling Stork. and having inrluded therein Stationarytrack magnets arranged iu .aerien in a different hloelt troni that inwhieh the ground may he elieeted. in eonlhination with a travelingtrain-rarried armature disposed in the field ot said magnets, and ot' alength at; least equal to the interval liet-weon the fields of adjacentmagnets.

i. A train signal and rontrol syst-em having a traeh' rireuit adapted tohe grounded in one hloek hy rolling Stork, and having included thereinStationary trark magnets arranged in series extending Hul'istantiallythroughout another hlork` a traveling trainearried armature moving inthe, field of Said magnete` and train control apparatiis aetnahle hysaid armature. i

T. A train signal and routrol system having a t1:'aeli'-eir ruit adaptedto rhe grounded in one. lilork by rolling stock, and having includedtherein Stationary track magnets: ar ranged througlmut another bloek, atraveling trainrfarried armature moving in the {ield ot' saidv magnets,and signaling mechanism artuahle on de-lnagnetlnation of Said armature..

in series extending snhsitantially` S. A train signal and -QontrolSysteni ha V- ing a 'trank (-.ireait adapted to he grounded :in onehlork hr rolling Stork, and having ineluded therein stationary traekmagnets arranged in aerien extending suhstautially throughout anotherhloek. a` traveling trainrarried armatlne moving in the field of saidmagnets, and train ehoeking and signaling nleelianisms aetuable onvariations of mag-A netization ot Said armature.

This speeileation signed and witnessed thin` 3 day of (kztoher A. l).1910.

airain un MINNICK.

vWitnesses;

l'lAnav Si. QUINN, M. F. Quinn.

